Bell Satellite launches YTV and Family Channel in high definition

High definition versions of The Family Channel and YTV have launched this week on Bell Satellite TV. Astral’s Family Channel HD is airing on channel 1642 while Corus’ YTV HD can be found on channel 1648.

While the channels advertise themselves as high definition, a review of the stations last night found the programs to be nothing more than 4:3 standard definition shows upconverted to high definition.

Because the shows airing on the Family Channel HD and YTV HD are simply upconverted SD programming, HD PVR’s owners are advised to continue to record from the SD channels to avoid using up eight or nine times as much drive space for each show.